Personally I don't like Michael Crichton as an
author but his books have been adapted to some very popular films. The synopsis
of Jurassic Park is that former flea circus sideshow man John Hamilton
(Richard Attenborough) has put a scientific theory into practical development.
On an Costa Rican island he has created a 'biological preserve' filled with
cloned dinosaurs that he intends to exhibit to the public in a 'theme park'.
Nature cannot be controlled and the dinosaurs run amok when the security system
is sabotaged. What is created is one of the most successful films in the history
of cinema and I am not immune to its charms. Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park
is a wonderful joyride of science-fiction, boy-hood fantasy and wholesome
suspenseful adventure - all while exposing the potential encompassing pratfalls
of our own scientific abilities. out of

NOTE: there is another
Region 1 version without DTS audio (but with 5.1). It can be found
HERE

Release Information:
Studio: Columbia Tri-Star

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• None

DVD
Release Date: May 21st, 2003Keep Case

Chapters ?

Release Information:
Studio: Universal Studios

1080P
Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,294,615,052 bytes

Feature: 35,488,315,392 bytes

Codec: VC-1 Video

Total Video Bitrate: 28.22 Mbps

Edition Details:• All 3 Jurassic Park Films in
1080P
• Digital Copy of all three films (offer expires 12/31/12)
Return to Jurassic Park: 3 of the 6 parts are on Disc One - Jurassic Park:

• Return to Jurassic Park : Dawn
of a New Era (25:25)
• Return to Jurassic Park: Making Prehistory (19:41)
• Return to Jurassic Park: The Next Step in Evolution (15:04)

Archival Featurettes
• The Making of all 3 Jurassic Park Films (49:40 -> for the first film)
• Original Featurettes on the Making of the Films (4:50)
• Steven Spielberg Directs Jurassic Park (9:07)
• Hurricane in Kauai Featurette (2:09)
Behind the Scenes:

NOTE:The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.

ADDITION: Universal - Region
FREE -
Blu-ray - October 11': To clarify -
at present the only way to purchase Jurassic Park
on
Blu-ray is through one of two 'sets' - that
both contain all three films in the new format. Trusting
my contact - the only difference (in North America - I
am unsure overseas) in obtaining the 'Limited Edition'
package is that you get a dinosaur model (see image). We
have also been led to believe that the 1080P transfers,
with minor differences (DUBs + subs) should be the exact
same worldwide. In this review we will take a look at
the first film - Jurassic Park - possibly
examining the other two films at later date.

Okay - let's get some of the bad out of the way first -
Yes, there is edge-enhancement and depending on your
sensitivity to the phenomenon, and discerning ability of
your eyes and system, the degree in which it is
noticeable will vary. It is processed with a frequency
that makes the halos less-visible, but I still question
it being applied at all. But even when the EE is not as
liberally layered on - the image is significantly more
detailed than either of the DVDs. This digital practice
is also not blanketed that I can tell as it ranges in
prominence. Without pulling out the magnifying glass -
the

Blu-ray
looks remarkably superior to the SDs. It is dual-layered
- surprisingly using VC-1 (as opposed to AVC) and it has
a high bitrate. There is minor noise but colors tighten
extensively and detail, not simply the perception of,
leaps forward. Effects aren't transparent in the higher
resolution - probably due to the kinetic nature of the
process used at production. Depth shows itself at times
but I wouldn't say it was a key component to the HD
image quality. Hopefully the captures below will give
you an idea of the appearance. I see many positives.

Without any reservations we can extol the DTS-HD Master
7.1 audio track at 5539 kbps. The first 'roar' of the
T-Rex has some impressive depth and John Williams iconic
and memorable score is wonderfully crisp and
encompassing. Subtle separations are crisp (rustling
branches and leaves) snapping out of the rear speakers.
Overall the audio is flawless - and what I like about it
is that it never seems to overtake the image -
distracting from the visuals. It supports the film
without eclipsing its effect virtues. It sounds just
great - all the way through. There are optional
subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being
Region FREE - playable on Blu-ray
machines worldwide although it is available most
everywhere regardless.

Extras are extensive including most (all?) the older
featurettes and behind-the-scenes pieces and a new
six-part documentary featuring new interviews with
directors Steven Spielberg and Joe Johnston plus cast
and crew that is spread over the three discs. There is
easily over a couple of hours only on the Jurassic
Park disc. No commentary for the first film - but
just about everything else fans could want - lots on the
dino effects and lots with the director - and the
Blu-ray has added My
Scenes ability as well as D-Box Motion Controls. One
thing - although I didn't scour the package looking for
it I didn't find the Digital Copies - although I am sure
they are there - tucked away somewhere.

I am almost ashamed that I realize I have memorized many
of the lines from the film - showing it to my two boys
so many times. Jurassic Park is such a precisely
crafted sci-fi adventure with professional performances
and it ushered in the revisited era of the dinosaur film
- a genre that I always welcome. It's easy for snobs to
look down their nose at Spielberg but this is extremely
entertaining - no one can take that away - that has held
its value since it came out, closing on 20-years ago.
Wow - I feel old. Recommended!

***

ON THE DVDs

: Universal has the rights to
Region 1 for Jurassic Park, but Columbia Tri-Star has the rights for
Japan. Now we have the proper screen captures - the results are still
the same - just more subtle. The
SUPERBIT is still slightly sharper and has more vibrant colors. There are
some compression artifacts in the Region 1 disc noticeable in the grassy
scenes on the island. The Universal Region 1 occasionally exhibits a
dull greenish tinge. Contrast and black levels of the Columbia Region 2
are rock solid. The SUPERBIT defaults to Japanese subtitles (and the
aggressive DTS track ) so you need to select to remove them and there
are no Extras. Those are the only faults I see. The sound gives the
choice of DTS AND 5.1 but the big plus is the beautiful film-like
appearance especially when shown through a Projection system. The Region 2 SUPERBIT is the disc to own for those concerned
with image quality and have the Home Theater system to back-it-up.